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James Antle

Rand Paul’s Israel strategy

Recent polling suggests a majority of Republicans is at least open to retrenchment. According to the Pew Research Center, 53 percent of GOP voters want America less involved in Middle Eastern political change—not as noninterventionist as Democrats or particularly independents, but still nearly 20 points more than the percentage of Republicans who picked “more involved.”

Arguments for foreign-policy restraint have failed to gain traction in the Republican Party because of three perceptions of the conservatives making them: namely, that they are hostile to Israel, indifferent to American national security, and naïve about brutal foreign regimes. Paul is aiming to correct these perceptions while emphasizing his common ground with the GOP and the broader conservative movement.

That’s why Paul has focused on cutting foreign aid to Middle Eastern despots, who also happen to be virulently anti-Israel. It’s why he talks about missile defense to protect American cities from attack. And it’s why he observes that Israelis aren’t burning American flags.

More hawkish conservatives may be noticing Paul’s comments, but they are aimed at the Republican rank-and-file: evangelical well-wishers of Israel, primary voters who could be convinced that our overseas interventions are bad policy but not that the Muslim Brotherhood bodes well for secular democracy.

Rand Paul will eventually be every bit of a nut as his old man. It might be a degenerative disease that runs in the family. He sure pulled the wool over the eyes of many. Some will remain blinded while others wake up. Might become a one term wonder…

Rand Paul will eventually be every bit of a nut as his old man. It might be a degenerative disease that runs in the family. He sure pulled the wool over the eyes of many. Some will remain blinded while others wake up. Might become a one term wonder…

Rand Paul will eventually be every bit of a nut as his old man. It might be a degenerative disease that runs in the family. He sure pulled the wool over the eyes of many. Some will remain blinded while others wake up. Might become a one term wonder…

astonerii on January 23, 2013 at 7:51 PM

Very sad to see such a lazy analysis from you astonerii. Is every man his own man or not? Are we individuals or members of a groups that can be set against each other for political gain? Is each man to be condemned for the actions of his father? Or his group? Don’t agree with him, fine. But do it on the merits.

Very sad to see such a lazy analysis from you astonerii. Is every man his own man or not? Are we individuals or members of a groups that can be set against each other for political gain? Is each man to be condemned for the actions of his father? Or his group? Don’t agree with him, fine. But do it on the merits.

besser tot als rot on January 23, 2013 at 8:00 PM

We are individuals, and as evidenced by our education system, we are also the product of those influences that happen in our lives.
Rand is not condemned by the actions of his father. It will be his own actions and reactions to people like myself and you that will either propel him forward or condemn him.
As evidenced by his running positions and his now in office heavily protected by the veil of incumbency in the future, it shows that he held off telling you who he really was, and now is walking it back, one tiny small step at a time.
Look, maybe this will be the end of his move towards the loony side. I doubt it. I figure in the end he has two real end states. He goes full retard and embraces his personal irresponsibility libertarian side and goes full on Democrat or he embraces his inner Ron Paul libertarian bent. I really do not see him actually remaining the more conservative person he sold himself as. His drift post election indicates it was not him, but just a well played act.